Enzo Maresca has singled out one Chelsea star for big praise after the team wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States with a narrow defeat to Real Madrid.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca watched his team lose 2-1 on Wednesday during their final game in the US. Next, Chelsea face Inter Milan this weekend in a friendly match back home before the new Premier League campaign begins on 18 August versus Manchester City.
Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz scored inside the opening half an hour to put Madrid 2-0 ahead. Noni Madueke’s great form in pre-season continued as his header reduced the deficit before half-time, though.
Madueke has a great argument to start the Premier League opener because of how well he’s played this summer. However, it was his Chelsea teammate that earned the applause of Maresca after facing Madrid.
Enzo Maresca hails Christopher Nkunku
Maresca said in his post-match interview that Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku was a big positive with his individual display in midweek.
The 26-year-old caught the eye again on this tour as an attacking midfielder, which looks like being his preferred position under the new management.
When asked how Nkunku played against Madrid, Maresca said via Football.London: “For me, he played a very good game. We are trying to use him as an attacking midfielder and a striker, depends on the moment. Also, we are using him as a striker today because Marc [Guiu] was tired at the end. It’s normal but overall, the important thing for Christo, we are able to contact with him between the lines.
“Today we contact with Christo and Enzo [Fernandez] many, many times between the lines. This is the most important thing, to arrive there, and with time we will take chances and score more goals.”
Christopher Nkunku stats vs Real Madrid
Nkunku’s started five out five games this summer in the United States, so his chances of beginning the new campaign in the XI surely must be high.
The versatile French attacker got another 90 minutes into his legs against Madrid. It’s great to see him looking so sharp after his debut season with the Blues last year was completely decimated by injury, playing only 14 times across all competitions.
FotMob data has provided the match statistics from the eye-catching Nkunku performance against Madrid that impressed the head coach:
- Match rating – 6.6
- Minutes played – 90
- Shots on target – 1/1
- Chances created – 2
- Successful dribbles – 2/2
- Touches in opposition box – 4
- Accurate passes – 29/33
- Accurate crosses – 1/2
- Ground duels won – 3/6
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